Fort Smith Urban Deer Hunt Gains Ground

An ordinance establishing an urban deer hunt in Fort Smith for archers cleared its second hurdle Tuesday night.

An ordinance establishing an urban deer hunt in Fort Smith for archers cleared its second hurdle Tuesday night.

“The ordinance would allow urban deer hunts based on permits issued by the office of the chief of police,” Police Chief Kevin Lindsey said. “It is held in conjunction with, and according to the rules of, the Arkansas Game & Fish Commission.”

The Fort Smith Board of Directors approved the first reading last month in a 4-3 vote. The ordinance now heads to a third and final reading.

The special hunt for archers was originally proposed by the Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority, according to city leaders.

“These rules and regulations have met with mine and my staff’s criteria for safety,” Lindsey said. “We feel this could be conducted in a safe manner, and be conducive to reducing and mitigating the deer population for the city of Fort Smith.”

At-Large Director Pam Weber, who voted against the hunt, called it a “want” rather than a “need.”

“Is this really what we want our city to project?” Weber asked. “To me, this is just not the image that I want.”

She also cited deer-versus-vehicle crash statistics.

“Basically, we’re talking about 1 percent of the vehicle crashes in this town involve deer,” she said. “Most of these crashes, you are in areas that couldn’t be designated anyway because they are in high-traffic residential or commercial areas.”

The hunting region would likely be limited to the outer Chaffee Crossing area, according to Lindsey, who has the final say on where archers may hunt.

“But this is not just an ordinance that covers the Chaffee area,” Weber added. “This is citywide, if you designate the area.”

In addition to a number of permit and testing requirements, the proposed ordinance states that no hunting will be allowed within 50 yards of residences, houses, public trails, golf courses, parks, utility installations or paved roads. An amendment approved Tuesday in a similar 4-3 vote adds schools and day-care centers to that list.

Another amendment requires the police chief to identify private property that will be included in the hunting area, “so long as written permission is still obtained from the property owner by the hunter,” according to Lindsey.

At-Large Director Philip Merry Jr., who also opposes the hunt, asked Lindsey what would happen if a deer that is shot “moves about and doesn’t immediately die,” then “goes outside of the zone in question.”

“I don’t see that as a violation,” the chief said. “It’s incumbent on that hunter to track that deer down and recover it.”

Also Tuesday, At-Large Director Kevin Settle suggested the city extend an offer to annex “a corner” of Barling for development in hopes of spurring other growth.

The area in question is around the intersection of Arkansas 22 and Arkansas 59.

“Barling is a great neighbor,” he said. “They’re our bedroom community. By a two-thirds vote, they passed a liquor law, allowing Barling to grow and prosper. But that grow and prosper is stopped because of legal issues.”

Late last month, Sebastian County Circuit Court Judge Steve Tabor voided results of the November election that would allow liquor sales in Barling.

The sale of liquor would be allowed on property annexed by Fort Smith.

“If you look at the map, Fort Smith is real close to the area that Barling wants to grow,” Settle said. “We’re talking about an area to grow on I-49, which potentially could be the gateway to the Fort Smith area with hotels and shopping.”

The city’s administration has been tasked with working with Barling leaders, if interested, on the details.

In other business, a resolution approved Tuesday adds an item to the city’s already established list of priorities for the Arkansas General Assembly.

Through the Arkansas Municipal League, the city is asking that a definition of the word “meeting” be added to the public meeting requirements of the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act.

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